please, i would love advice!

Parent Cafe
21

<p>Definitely look at Davidson - significantly more conservative than some NE schools, but liberal for the South, on a large man-made lake - swimming,sailing and waterskiing.</p>

22

<p>okay - English language and literature. . .pretty campus. . .not a liberal activist HQ. . .strong intellectual climate. . .moderate to pleasant school-year weather. . . not a big party school. . .small liberal arts school or mid-sized university: Davidson, Johns Hopkins (in the city, if you don't like Washington U then cross JHU off), Pomona (just an okay campus), William & Mary; maybe Vanderbilt.</p>

<p>If you are willling to try a Northern winter. . .Williams, Middlebury, Colgate (beautiful campus; quaint town but a fair amount of partying and drinking), Dartmouth (ditto Colgate), Carleton; maybe Northwestern.</p>

23

<br>


<br>

<p>Except for the fact that it gets colder than jacket weather for part of the winter, I reiterate my recommendation of Wellesley. Its campus is GORGEOUS and comes equipped with a lake you can sit by. In fact, there appears to be a rule that women's colleges in Massachusetts automatically get a lake, because Mt. Holyoke and Smith both have lakes too, although Smith might be a little too left wing for you.</p>

24

<p>Even before I saw your list WM came to mind - my son is a sophomore there and it really sounds like what you're looking for. Mid-size, very academic (football games are not a big sell), mild weather with a bit of snow in Dec., VA conservatism reigns (although not oppressively), the campus is gorgeous and borders Colonial Williamsburg (CW they call it).</p>

<p>Like you, he spends alot of time outdoors and everyday you will see many many students running, walking and biking through the car-free roads of C W. There is a lake on campus, the student body is very intellectual and the library is very busy - just went through a renovation and is well used (sounds like that tour guide was just a dud!).</p>

<p>Being from New England, I can tell you that indeed the winters do get long and gray. When we visited Bates for accepted students day in April, it snowed!! The following weekend we went to VA and the grass was green and flowers in bloom - easy choice!!</p>

25

<p>I go to Mt Holyoke now, and it sounds like you'd fit in here. If you want to voice your opinion (regardless of political affiliation) be prepared to debate a bit ;) </p>

<p>Most of the women here are down to earth, friendly, smart, etc. It's just a great place to be. (Not to mention good food, big rooms, nice dorms, and a wonderful campus). Not completely academic, but not devoid of it, either.</p>

<p>And, as for partying, there are parties to go to, but you don't have to go to them to gain friends. I am not much of a partier and have met a lot of different people -- and I don't feel like I am persecuted for not being a partier (as I was in HS).</p>

<p>If you get a chance, maybe you should visit Wellesley, Mt Holyoke, and Smith (although as someone mentioned before Smith is a bit more liberal). They're all great colleges.</p>

<p>drago</p>

26

<p>hmmm... I'm really loving all of this advice. I am willing to look into the women's colleges but have really never thought of that before. I like what I've heard about William and Mary, but I heard they are currently in search of a president- should I take that as a bad sign? or is that just a necessary process? And I adore Middlebury's campus, but it is perhaps too cold. I wouldn't know, I haven't yet visited, but I've heard it can be at its coldest in the -30s! And maybe this is a stupid question, but I honestly have no clue- when it snows in April in Maine (#1 is this an usual occurence or a rarity), is the temperature unbearably cold or is it just cool and snowy? Because although I like snow, I doubt if I'm prepared to be buried in it! Also as far as architecture on campus goes (I clearly care about my surroundings!) I ADORE UVa's architecture, basically anything with history and integrity. I dislike Duke's but like Princeton's. I like pretty buildings, not places that resemble my high school gym. I love to be surrounded by the past. Thanks for the advice so far! It's been so helpful, and I'm so glad I'm not a senior, scrambling to complete apps.</p>

27

<p>It might be a bit larger than you're looking for, but U of Pennsylvania might also be worth a look. A daughter's friend from Calif. who leans towards a Republican view point has been very pleased with her experiences there.</p>

28

<p>What about Furman? Conservative, not a wild-party type school, southern, dry campus (though my guide described it more as a "damp" campus), and fairly intellectual....though if you are looking for an arch. school, UVA is a better choice. </p>

<p>What you've heard about W&L is largely true. I was a journalism Summer Scholar there, and my counselors (all W&L students) had some "interesting" stories to tell. You won't be ostracized for being a Republican, however. W&L has a very very Republican student body (which is why I am very attracted to it). I can't say the same about ther profs. though (though journalism seems to attract democrats for some reason). ....W&L is an excellent school however, so don't immediately rule it out.</p>

<p>Anyway...., look into Furman. They have the most beautiful campus I've ever seen and they seem very serious academically.</p>

29

<p>I have heard that the campus of UPenn is centered in a less than desirable location. I've heard it isn't all that safe. I don't know if I can get as great of an educational experience at Furman as I would like, but I agree that their campus is stunning. Although drinking on campus is not a determining factor unless it is way, way out of control, I've heard that W&L is a HUGE party school which worries me. Besides, I'm not certain that I'm comfortable wearing a dress every day to class with all that Southern tradition</p>

30

<p>If you think 30 degrees is cold, then you best cross Middlebury, Colby, Bates and Bowdoin off your list. In the winter, 30 would be a warm day. And yes it will snow thru the middle of March, and may be chilly thru April. You might be OK in Pennsylvania. I have never been to Davidson's campus, but I understand it is quite pretty and certainly a conservative Republican would feel comfortable there. Haverford is certainly liberal-leaning, but because of the Quaker heritage, students are extraordinarily respectful. The campus, IMO, is beautiful in a characteristically Pennsylvania way. Mostly stone buildings, park-like grounds with a pond. Right down the street is Bryn Mawr - a very intellectual college for women and part of the tri-college consortium - Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Swat. Buses run back and forth from BMC to Haverford every 15 min. Swat is a little further away and buses run every hour. Another college that is supposed to be gorgeous is Rhodes in Memphis. Also Vassar (altho maybe too New York for you), Colgate (beautiful, but upstate so cold), Williams, University of Richmond is supposed to be beautiful - and you'd definitely find conservatives there.</p>

31

<p>lol. You won't have to wear a dress. It is southern, but there's no dress code. A lot of people's pre-conceived notion of W&L as a problematic drinking school comes from the reputation it had before it went co-ed in '85. Before 85, the drinking was a major problem, resulting in some fraternaties being kicked off campus. While there is still drinking, it won't be like the movie "Animal House." No flaming pianos out of 3rd story windows!....well, not many :)</p>

32

<p>Might want to look at Holy Cross-solid LAC with a mixture of liberals, moderates,and conservatives. Also the Holy Cross location -1 hour from Boston.</p>